ARTICLE: New Device Restores Communication

[Murray Charters <mcharters@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

6 News - WOWT TV, Omaha, NE
Mon August 11, 2003

New Device Restores Communication
Reopens closed doors

Many people with diseases like Cerebral Palsy, Parkinson's and Autism and those 
who have suffered strokes and brain
injuries have lost the ability to speak. Now there's a new device that's 
bridging the communication gap.

Cerebral Palsy makes it difficult for Randy Reyes to say what's on his mind. 
For years, he had to use picture cards to
communicate with his family.

His mother, Maria Reyes, says, "That way he can point to the things and you 
know if he wants a toy or he wants a drink
so that's the way he communicated at the beginn ing.

Now there are no cards and Randy is coming through loud and clear.

The reason is his Dynamyte. It's a compact communication device with a touch 
screen that speaks for Randy. When asked
his favorite TV Show, for example, he simply touches images to spell it out.

Kate Neumann, a speech and language pathologist, programs the device with words 
and phrases custom fit for Randy.

She says, "You know, polite comments to things he is going to say to other 
kids, to all his many, many school pages
with school-related vocabulary."

The Dynamyte allows randy to keep up with his academics in public school.

Sarah Altman is Randy's tutor and she says, "It's really nice to be able to 
have something that he can use that makes
what he's saying very clear."

Randy carries the 3.2 pound device to school in a backpack.

They Dynamyte is made by Dynvox systems and costs roughly $6,500.

For additional information, visit the company Web site.


SOURCE: 6 News - WOWT TV, Omaha, NE


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